A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives, a curated forum for enterprise technology leaders, nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the CIOApplications Editorial Board.

Enpro

No-Code, No-Risk: How Anyone Canprototype Real-World AISolutions in Minutes

Hao Dinh is a seasoned technology leader and Vice President of Technology at EnPro Industries. With over 30 years of experience, he has driven digital transformation at companies like GE Power, Schaeffler and Electrolux, specializing in AI, IoT, Industry 4.0 and human-centric innovation across global manufacturing operations.

AI is no longer the exclusive domain of data scientists or massive R&D teams. With the rise of nocode AI prototyping tools, anyone with curiosity and a business challenge can now experiment with AI, quickly, affordably and without writing a single line of code.

No-code platforms, combined with hands-on, step-by-step instruction, are empowering frontline workers, plant managers and operations leaders to develop real-world AI solutions. This approach is changing how organizations innovate, making it easier to test ideas, validate value and scale success, all while minimizing cost and risk.

Interactive tutorials now walk users through building AI prototypes for high-impact use cases like predictive maintenance, inventory optimization, safety incident reduction and defect detection. With guided prompts and ready-to-use datasets, you can train and test AI models right from your browser—no

technical background required. Once the prototype shows promise, then (and only then) is it worth investing more time and resources.

Let’s bring AI into your inventory decision-making!

Imagine you manage stock for an online sneaker store. Your best-seller, the "AI Runner 3000", is moving fast, and you need to reorder for next month. Here’s what you know:

• Sales for the past 3 months: 500, 700 and 1,000 units

• Supplier lead time: 2 weeks

• Expected seasonal demand bump: 20 percent

Now, if you have access to a generative AI tool like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT, you can ask:

  • AI is a powerful assistant, not an infallible expert. Use its suggestions as a starting point, and confirm with your own business knowledge and data before moving forward

"Based on past sales of 500, 700 and 1,000 units, a 2-week supplier lead time and a 20 percent seasonal demand increase, how many sneakers should I order for next month?"

The AI will generate a forecast using trends and assumptions, just like real companies do to optimize their supply chains. From my practical experience, companies using AI for inventory management report:

• 30 percent reduction in excess inventory

• 20 percent improvement in order fulfillment

• 40 percent faster restocking decisions

But remember, AI makes mistakes. That’s why it’s critical to always validate any AI recommendation before acting. AI is a powerful assistant, not an infallible expert. Use its suggestions as a starting point, and confirm with your own business knowledge and data before moving forward.

Ready to try it yourself?

Platforms like GrowByDesign. ai provide free, hands-on activities and easy-to-follow guides that let you build your own AI prototypes. Whether you're aiming to cut downtime, improve safety, or streamline operations, AI is no longer a black box—it’s a toolbox. And now, it’s in your hands.

The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.